Flow signal for compressed gas tanks



Sept. 22, 1964 GAGNAN ETAL 3,149,752

FLOW SIGNAL FOR COMPRESSED GAS TANKS Filed Dec. 21, 1960 270 l l0 7 L P209 fi 09 26 i 200 i I84 i I 1 i //VI/EN raRj [II/L 5 6/46/VA/V JACQUL'S7V5: COUSTLAZ/ if Tap/V5) United States Patent 3,149,752 FLOW SIGNAL FURQOMIRESSED GAS TANKS Emile Gagnan, Montreal, Quebec, (Iauada, and.lacques Yves Cousteau, Monaco, Monaco, assignors to La SpirotechniqueFiled Dec. 21, 1960, Ser. No. 77,371 9 Claims. (Cl. 222-3) The presentinvention is concerned with improvements in warning devices adapted foruse in combination with compressed gas tanks so as to provide an audiblewarning when there is flow from such tanks.

Such an arrangement is useful in all installations where gas is storedin pressurized containers and indication is desired when the gas isflowing from such containers. For example, in an industrial set up it iscommon practice to have cylinders of compressed gas stored in onelocation with feeding conduits leading to a further and remote locationwhere the gas is actually used. With the present invention an audiblesignal is provided within each container so that as the gas flows fromthe container an indication is given at the main storage point. This isparticularly useful if the gas being used is toxic or inflammable sothat if a signal is noted at the storage point when use is not normal itindicates a leak or failure to shut oif the pipeline at the point ofuse.

A preferred use for the present warning device is in combination withcompressed gas tanks used by divers or similar breathing apparatus usedin toxic or unbreathable atmospheres.

The normal arrangement in a divers compressed gas tank is to providesome means of supplying a reserve flow when the pressure has dropped toa level making it imperative for the diver to surface. Normally a fulltank has from about 2000 to 2500 psi. and the reserve is used when thepressure drops to from 200 to 500 -p.s.i. This of course will vary withthe apparatus being used.

At the present time there are many types of reserve air control valves,most of which operate on the principle that the lack of air serves as aWarning to the diver when the pressure drops to near the predeterminedreserve pressure. The diver then manually operates a reserve valve whichpermits the full flow use of the remaining gas in his tank or tanks.

The present invention provides a means whereby an audible warning signalis given to the diver when the reserve pressure is reached.

The device of the invention accomplishes these and other purposes byproviding a vibrating or knocking device within the interior andcontacting the wall of the tank which is actuated by the flow of gasfrom the container. Means are provided whereby this knocking device maybe actuated only when the gas pressure within the tank drops to apredetermined reserve pressure level,

or it may be arranged to operate on any and all flow of gas from thecontainer.

Having thus generally described the nature of the invention, particularreference will be made to the accompanying drawings, and in which:

FIGURE 1 is a side view in vertical cross-section along the line 1--1 ofFIGURE 7 of one preferred form of a gas flow operated audible warningdevice according to the invention.

FIGURE 2 is a transverse cross-sectional view of the construction ofFIGURE 1 along the line 22.

FIGURE 3 is a transverse cross-sectional view of the construction ofFIGURE 1 along the line 33.

FIGURE 4 is a side view in vertical cross-section of a further preferredform of a gas flow operated audible warning device according to theinvention.

3,I49,75Z Patented Sept. 22, 1964 FIGURE 5 is a transversecross-sectional view of FIG- URE 4 along the line 55.

FIGURE 6 is a view in side elevation and partially in section of atypical compressed gas tank assembly embodying an audible warning deviceas shown in FIGURE 4 FIGURE 7 is a view in side elevation and partiallyin section of a typical compressed gas tank assembly embodying anaudible Warning device as shown in FIG- URE 1.

FIGURE 8 is a side view in vertical cross-section of a pressure operatedflow control valve particularly suited for use in combination with theaudible warning devices of the invention when embodied in the gas tanksof -a diving apparatus.

With particular reference to FIGURES 1 and 4 of the drawings, twopreferred embodiments of the invention are shown in verticalcross-section.

The first assembly indicated at It) consists of a main body 12 ofsubstantially hexagonal cross-section which is bored axially to providea tapering recess 14 suitably tapped to receive a threaded coupling 15,as will be described later, and continuing from the recess 14 aconcentric fiow passage 16 leading into a transverse boring 18. Afurther restricted flow passage 20 extends from the boring 18 to anenlarged axial recess 22 having a further enlargement 24 leadingoutwards of the body 12. A further restricted boring 26 extendstransversely through the body I2 to provide a flow passage from theboring IS. A pressure valve consisting of a ball 28 and a spring 30 ismounted in the boring 18 by a pressed-m cap 32 having an O-ring seal 34,as shown in detail in FIGURE 2.

The impact or knock creating portion of the assembly 10 consists of aresilient washer 49 having an axial opening 42 and a ball 45 is mountedon the washer 4t) and spring loaded by a spring 41 so as to be adaptedfor seating and unseating on the opening 42. A domed cap 44 having aplurality of gas flow openings 46 is mounted over the washer 4t? withintherecem enlargement 24 and acts as a support and guide for a headedimpact member 43. The stem 49 of the member 48 slidably fits through acentral axial opening 47 in the cap 44 into axial alignment with theball 45. A cylindrical outer shell or cover 50 fits over the body 12 sothat the closed end portion 51 holds the impact member 48 in position.The shell 56? is retained to the body 12 by a screw or pin 53, as shownin FIGURE 1.

With this arrangement, flow of gas between the shell 50 and the body 12through the passages 54 provided between the inner wall of the shell 5tand the outer surface of the body 12, passes down and is deflected bythe shell end portion 51 through the center of the body 12. The gas flowpasses through the perforations 46 of the cap 44 so as to act againstthe Washer 40 deflecting the washer and urging the ball 45 clear of theopening 42. The gas iiow then passes up through the openings 22, 20, I3and out through the recess 14 to the discharge fitting 15. The reversalof the gas pressure on the washer 40, by its build up in the recess 22due to the restricted flow through the passage 20, causes it to deflectin the opposite direction with the ball again blocking the washeropening 42 and coming sharply into contact with the stem 49 of theimpact member 48 urging it against the shell 50. When the assembly It isinstalled with a compressed gas tank, as shown in FIGURE 6 and as willbe described in more detail later, a sharp audible impact or knock isimparted to the inner wall of the tank.

The alternative preferred assembly 119, as shown in FIGURE 4, operatesin a similar manner. In this assembly a main body 112 is provided with afirst tapped recess 114 again adapted to receive a threaded gas outletfitting 115, a recess 116, a transverse boring 118, an axial recess 122with an enlargement 124 and a restricted boring 120 between the boring118 and the recess 12.2. A pressure valve consisting of a ball 12% and aspring 1% acts to control a boring 126 and is also mounted in the boringit?) and retained by a threaded cap 136 having an O-ring seal 134-. Inthis assembly the recess enlargement 124 is contained within the body112 and a further boring 125 provides a gas flow passage from the lowerend of the body to the enlargement 124. A resilient washer ltd having acentral opening M2 is mounted in the recess enlargement 124 and a valvein the form of a conical valve head 131 is adapted to alternately seatand unseat on the washer opening 142. The conical valve head 131 isguided and supported by an elongated stem 132 which slidably fitsthrough a further boring 133 provided in the body 112. A clapper orimpact head 150 is mounted on a resilient flat spring 151 secured to thelower end of the body 112 with a connection being made from a bracket153 secured to the spring 151 to the lower end 135 of the valve stem132. r

This arrangement works in a generally similar manher to that previouslydescribed with regard to the construction of FIGURE 1; the flow of gasfrom the container is through the boring 125 into the recess enlargementto act on the washer 14th and the valve head 131. The flexing of thewasher 14d and the lifting of the valve head 131 acts to flex the spring151 and the release of the gas flow pressure by the raising of the valvehead 131 causes the stem 132 to sharply descend so that the resiliencyof the spring 151 brings the impact head or clapper 154 into contactwith the inner wall of the container. In the embodiments shown thesewarning device assemblies ltl, 110 are supported inside the respectivetanks 180, 1182, as shown in FIGURES 6 and 7, by metal tubes 184-connected to the gas outlet fittings 15.

While for some industrial applications it is necessary only to connectthe other end of the tubes 184 to the existing valve controlarrangements, this will result in the warning devices operating at alltimes when gas is caused to flow from the tanks regardless of thepressure within the tank. Further, for such complete flow arrangementsit is not absolutely essential to include the pressure valvearrangements 28, 30, 12d, 136 although they are preferable to ensure anadequate gas flow since, as noted, the openings or orifices 20, 129leading from the recesses 22, 122 are preferably relatively small orrestricted for the efficient operation of the impact causing members.

For other applications, and particularly when the present devices areutilized as an audible means of advising a diver as to the pressureremaining in his tank, it is necessary to provide a pressure controlledflow valve, as shown in FIGURE 8. For the present examples it will beunderstood that both embodiments shown in FIGURES 6 and 7 are providedwith such an arrangement. It will also be understood that the warningarrangements shown could be varied in construction, the main requisitein accordance with the invention being the provision of some meansactuated by the gas flow as described and capable of generating anaudible impact or vibration which is transmitted to the inner wall ofthe container.

The valve assembly shown in FIGURE 8 consists essentially of an outertube 2% which surrounds the supporting tube 184 connected to theassembly 153, or Hit, a passageway 2G2 leads from the outer tube 2% soas to intersect the air passage 294 in the valve body 2% leading fromthe tube 184, and a valve spindle 268 having a conical valve seat 219 isspring biased by springs 212, 214 so as to close off a passage 215leading to the passageway ZtlQ, when the pressure has been reduced tothe eserve pressure or under.

As shown, the valve 2% is bored transversely to provide a recess 230which is tapped as indicated at 232 and the valve spindle 208 is mountedfor sliding movement in a valve supporting sleeve 234 threadably engagedin the recess 230. The sleeve 234 includes an annular recess 2% and asealing O-ring 238 is mounted in this recess to provide a gas-tight sealabout the valve spindle 268.

For the preferred purpose, it is desirable that the last inward movementof the valve stem, say under pressure conditions from about 700 p.s.i.to the reserve pressure, say 350 p.s.i. be appreciable so that theposition of the valve spindle, that is the protruding end portion 209,relative to the exterior of the valve housing 206, will give a visualindication as to the pressure of the gas remaining, particularly whenthe reserve pressure is drawing near i.e. from 700 to 350 p.s.i.Accordingly the two springs 212, 214 are selected so that the spring 212is relatively stronger than the spring 214. Also, in the preferredconstruction shown the portion of the valve spindle 2'98 supporting thespring 214 is provided with a tubular spacer 24-6 so that spring 214cannot be completely crushed. For example, let us assume that the valvespindle portion 2% is fully extended, as indicated at B, under 2300p.s.i. At 700 p.s.i. it is extended as indicated at A, and from 700p.s.i to 350 p.s.i. it moves to the position drawn in solid lines. Thisgives an immediate visual check when the gas supply is near the reservelevel. When the reserve level is being used, an audible warning signalis emitted by the container wall.

As will be appreciated with regard to underwater breathing apparatus,when the gas pressure is anywhere from the full pressure, say about 2000to 2500 p.s.i. depending on the particular apparatus, down to thedesired reserve pressure, say about 350 p.s.i., the springs 212, 214-are compressed leaving the passage 215 to the outer tube clear, whichmeans that the gas supply is drawn from both the tubes 2% and 184. Thegas flow required to operate the warning device is accomplished onlywhen at least a substantial part of the gas supply is being drawn solelythrough the tube 184. Accordingly, when the pressure drops to thepredetermined reserve level, the spring 214 acts against the valvespindle 208 to seat the valve head 21d and the reserve supply is drawnthrough the tube 184 which causes the warning devices it) or to go intoaction. As the flow passage through the respective devices it? and 119is relatively small the loaded pressure valves previously described areused to provide sufficient flow for breathing.

It will be appreciated that the present invention provides a means ofwarning the diver that the reserve supply is being tapped and that thisarrangement does not require any manual actuation or adjustment on thepart of the diver, as is common in the prior art reserve apparatus.

In order that damage be avoided to the warning devices when the tanksare being filled, it is preferable that a check valve be providedbetween the respective devices and the discharge outlet fitting throughwhich the gas is usually pumped under pressure in filling the container.

In the construction shown, this check valve is incorporated in the valve2% and consists of a ball 256 kept in place by a spring 2%2. Aspreviously mentioned, this check valve could be anywhere in the tubes184 or in the housing devices themselves.

It will also be appreciated that the valve construction shown in FIGURE8 lends itself admirably to prechecking of the warning devices under allpressures since it is merely sutl'lcient to manually depress the valvespindle portion 2&9. This is particularly useful when the apparatus isemployed in connection with underwater breathing arrangements.

As is shown in FIGURES 6 and 7, the tubes or conduits i55 supporting thewarning devices of the invention are metal and are formed so as tosupport the respective warning devices lti or Hit in contact with theinner wall of the gas containers. The entire assembly is so designedthat it can be readily inserted through the usual neck opening of thetank and retained in position by threaded engagement of the valve body206 in the usual manner. While it is not illustrated in detail, theusual shut-off valve is included and controlled by a handwheel 270, theend of the valve stem 272 being shown in FIGURE 8.

We claim:

1. An audible warning device for a pressurized gas container having agas flow outlet opening, comprising, gas fiow operated means includingan impact member mounted within said container with said impact membersufiiciently close to an inner wall of said container to make physicalcontact with said container wall to impart audible impacts or vibrationsthereto upon actuation by said gas fiow operated means, said gas flowoperated means being located within said container in a location wherebyit is actuated by the flow of gas emitting from said container gasoutlet opening.

2. An audible warning device for pressurized gas containers, as claimedin claim 1, wherein said gas flow operated impact member is mountedwithin said container for reciprocal movement against the inner wall ofsaid container.

3. An audible warning device for pressurized gas containers, as claimedin claim 1, wherein said gas flow operated impact member is mountedwithin said container for vibrating movement against the inner Wall ofsaid container.

4. An audible warning device for a pressurized gas container having agas outlet fitting, comprising, a gas flow operated impact membermounted within said container sufficiently close to the inner wall ofsaid container to make physical contact with said inner wall onactuation by said gas flow and being operatively connected to said gasoutlet fitting, whereby when gas from said container is caused to flowthrough said container gas outlet fitting said impact member is actuatedinto said physical contact with said container inner wall providing anandible impact.

5. An audible warning device, as claimed in claim 4, wherein there arefirst and second gas conducting conduits leading to said gas outletfitting, said gas flow operated impact member being operativelyconnected to said second conduit and adapted for actuation only by apredetermined gas flow through said second conduit, a spring loadedpressure valve connected to and adapted to control flow of gas throughsaid first conduit, whereby under high gas pressure conditions saidfirst conduit is open for gas flow to said gas outlet fitting with theflow through said second conduit being insuficient to operate saidimpact member, and under predetermined lower gas pressure conditionssaid valve operates to close said first gas conduit causing total gasflow from said container to pass through said second conduit operatingsaid impact member.

6. An audible warning device, as claimed in claim 5, wherein saidpressure responsive valve includes a spring loaded valve stem slidablymounted within said valve body and having a portion extending exteriorlyof said valve body whereby the gas pressure within said container actsto urge said stem outwardly of said valve body and the gas pressurewithin said container is visually indicated by the length of said valvestem portion extending from said valve body.

7. An audible warning device for underwater breathing apparatus of thetype including a pressurized gas container, said Warning devicecomprising a gas flow actuatable means located within said gas containerand adapted to impart audible impacts or vibrations to the inner wall ofsaid container, said means being actuated by the flow of gas from saidcontainer at a predetermined pressure level and under the control of theinhalations of a diver.

8. An audible warning device for underwater breathing apparatus or" thetype including a pressurized gas container having a gas outlet fitting,said device comprising, a first gas outlet conduit extending from saidgas outlet fitting to within said gas container, a second gas outletconduit extending from said gas outlet fitting to within said gascontainer, a gas flow operated impact creating assembly mounted on thefree end of said second gas outlet conduit in a position directlyadjacent to an inner wall of said container, said gas flow operatedimpact creating assembly including a main body having an axial recesstherethrough with an internal enlargement of said axial recess housing aresilient diaphragm having a central opening, a first valve meansincluding a valve head and a valve stem guided for reciprocal slidingmovement mounted within the main body in axial alignment with saiddiaphragm opening so that flexure of said diaphragm under gas flowpressure alternately seats and unseats said first valve head on and fromsaid diaphragm opening and imparts reciprocal movement to said valvestem, the other end of said valve stem being operatively connected to animpact member located at the end of said impact creating assembly placedin juxtaposed relationship to said container inner wall, and a pressurecontrolled spring loaded second valve connected to said first gas outletconduit whereby under predetermined high pressure conditions said firstgas outlet conduit is open for gas flow to said outlet fitting, andunder predetermined lower gas pressure conditions said second valveoperates to close said first outlet conduit causing the full gas flow topass through said second outlet conduit operating said impact member.

9. An audible warning device, as claimed in claim 8, wherein saidpressure controlled spring loaded second valve includes a spring loadedvalve stem slidably mounted within the body of said valve and having aportion extending exteriorly of said valve body whereby the gas pressurewithin said container acts to urge said stem out wardly of said valvebody and the gas pressure within said container is visually indicated bythe length of the valve stem portion extending from said valve body, thesaid valve stem being loaded by two separate springs of unequalstrength, whereby under reduced pressure conditions in said containersaid valve stem movement is under the control of the weaker of saidsprings providing a. greater travel per p.s.i. pressure drop.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS493,265 Hasey Mar. 14, 1893 1,948,027 Deming Feb. 20, 1934 2,892,436 HayJune 30, 1959 3,001,541 St. Clair Sept. 26, 1961

8. AN AUDIBLE WARNING DEVICE FOR UNDERWATER BREATHING APPARATUS OF THETYPE INCLUDING A PRESSURIZED GAS CONTAINER HAVING A GAS OUTLET FITTING,SAID DEVICE COMPRISING, A FIRST GAS OUTLET CONDUIT EXTENDING FROM SAIDGAS OUTLET FITTING TO WITHIN SAID GAS CONTAINER, A SECOND GAS OUTLETCONDUIT EXTENDING FROM SAID GAS OUTLET FITTING TO WITHIN SAID GASCONTAINER, A GAS FLOW OPERATED IMPACT CREATING ASSEMBLY MOUNTED ON THEFREE END OF SAID SECOND GAS OUTLET CONDUIT IN A POSITION DIRECTLYADJACENT TO AN INNER WALL OF SAID CONTAINER, SAID GAS FLOW OPERATEDIMPACT CREATING ASSEMBLY INCLUDING A MAIN BODY HAVING AN AXIAL RECESSTHERETHROUGH WITH AN INTERNAL ENLARGEMENT OF SAID AXIAL RECESS HOUSING ARESILIENT DIAPHRAGM HAVING A CENTRAL OPENING, A FIRST VALVE MEANSINCLUDING A VALVE HEAD AND A VALVE STEM GUIDED FOR RECIPROCAL SLIDINGMOVEMENT MOUNTED WITHIN THE MAIN BODY IN AXIAL ALIGNMENT WITH SAIDDIAPHRAGM OPENING SO THAT FLEXURE OF SAID DIAPHRAGM UNDER GAS FLOWPRESSURE ALTERNATELY SEATS AND UNSEATS SAID FIRST VALVE HEAD ON AND FROMSAID DIAPHRAGM OPENING AND IMPARTS RECIPROCAL MOVEMENT TO SAID VALVESTEM, THE OTHER END OF SAID VALVE STEM BEING OPERATIVELY CONNECTED TO ANIMPACT MEMBER LOCATED AT THE END OF SAID IMPACT CREATING ASSEMBLY PLACEDIN JUXTAPOSED RELATIONSHIP TO SAID CONTAINER INNER WALL, AND A PRESSURECONTROLLED SPRING LOADED SECOND VALVE CONNECTED TO SAID FIRST GAS OUTLETCONDUIT WHEREBY UNDER PREDETERMINED HIGH PRESSURE CONDITIONS SAID FIRSTGAS OUTLET CONDUIT IS OPEN FOR GAS FLOW TO SAID OUTLET FITTING, ANDUNDER PREDETERMINED LOWER GAS PRESSURE CONDITIONS SAID SECOND VALVEOPERATES TO CLOSE SAID FIRST OUTLET CONDUIT CAUSING THE FULL GAS FLOW TOPASS THROUGH SAID SECOND OUTLET CONDUIT OPERATING SAID IMPACT MEMBER.